How do you get a zebra to the top of Grouse Mountain?

How do you get a zebra to the top of Grouse Mountain?

Grizzly bear, Grouse Mountain, Vancouver, British Columbia

Are there really zebras atop Grouse Mountain?

Well that’s what I thought I heard! As we rode to the top of this popular peak of Vancouver, British Columbia, I asked our Skyride attendant, “Did the zebras get brought up by gondola?” Obviously puzzled by my question, he informed me that there were no zebras up there. Just the two grizzly bears in their habitat. But that left us all giddy, imagining zebras in a gondola. My embarrassed daughter assured me that we would see unicorns, and our fellow Skyride passengers broadly smiled at the comedy. So who told me there were zebras?!

Grouse Mountain continues to be a great place to visit. I lived in Vancouver years ago and have visited several times since. This month I had a spooky ride to the top engulfed in clouds. (No Grouse Grind for us; that’s what the hike up is called.)

But what a treat when we climbed out of the nothingness. A break in the clouds allowed us to see all the way over to Vancouver Island. From below, you would not have expected that the weather was so much better at the top.

Skyride, Grouse Mountain, Vancouver, British Columbia

On a time crunch, we put food before hiking and had a peaceful bite of lunch in Altitudes Bistro (super quiet because the Vancouver weather was deceptive). Then we set off to visit the grizzly habitat. Contained behind electric fencing they were adorable!

Grizzly Habitat, Grouse Mountain, Vancouver, British Columbia

We’re still laughing about the lack of zebras; probably had to be there. But hey, I didn’t see the unicorns!

Vegan Dining Tip: In the restaurant Altitudes Bistro, my daughter and I shared a couple of vegan options: the Yam Fries with a honey siracha dressing substituted for the aoli; and the Small Mountain Nachos (HUGE portion) topped with vegan “chicken”, jalapeños, olives, salsa, green onions, guacamole, and tomatoes. The Grouse Grind salad looked like a great vegan meal, too (without the goat’s cheese).

Altitudes Bistro, Grouse Mountain, Vancouver, British Columbia

Seating area in lodge atop Grouse Mountain, Vancouver, British Columbia

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Loving, curious, and hungry – that’s me!
I’m a freelance travel writer/photographer published in Porthole Cruise Magazine, Travel and Escape (online), Soar Halifax, The Chronicle Herald, Mingle, the Southender magazine, Bedford magazine, Trailer Life magazine, and more. A former food columnist (for four years), I have a passion for dining out and for recreating my favourite food discoveries.
Join me, my family, and friends on our travels and let me help you plan your next adventure. I’ll be posting on Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada (my specialties), worldwide destinations, and have lots of travel and photography tips to share. Make your travel days the best that they can be. Carpe Diem!
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